Evening News Roundup

CBS: Jim Axelrod led show with look at Clinton’s “softer side” events in IA, quoted anon adviser saying she only reluctantly agreed to open up. Dean Reynolds said Obama is scaling back attacks, now working to woo ind’s rather than Edwards backers. Campaign Notebook included Bonnie Raitt/Jackson Browne for Edwards, Thompson bus tour day 2, Romney in SC and his anti-Huckabee crime ad.

CBS’ Nancy Cordes traveled with Huckabee on corporate jet for TX fundraising trip. He again defended Ark. clemencies, noted that Romney praised Bush for commuting Scooter Libby’s prison sentence. Jeff Greenfield hopped on campaign bus with upbeat McCain in NH. Bob Schieffer called Huckabee “best thing that ever happened” to McCain, since stopping Romney in IA could open door for McCain win in NH. Said Edwards should not be counted out of IA Dem race.

ABC: Jake Tapper on Giuliani’s choice to “largely sit out” IA and NH to focus on later states, an effort to “rewrite the rules of nomination politics.” He’s held 41 events in IA to Huckabee’s 101 and Romney’s 161. Banking that no single rival gains early-state momentum.

NBC: Kelly O’Donnell offered package on McCain’s comeback from his “political near death experience,” including the boost he’s receiving from recent endorsements.